Robins Financial Credit Union just made 29 Georgia teachers very happy by handing out more than $54,000 through their GRANTED program. And yes, before you ask, that’s actual money going directly to classrooms—not another “pizza party in the break room” situation.
This marks the fifth year of GRANTED, a program Robins Financial launched back in 2022 with a simple premise: teachers shouldn’t have to raid their own wallets to give kids a decent education. We all know the stories—educators buying pencils, books, and supplies out of pocket because school budgets are stretched thinner than cafeteria pizza. This program aims to fix that, at least for the lucky recipients.
Any K-12 teacher working within Robins Financial’s 45-county service area was eligible to apply. Winners got either classroom supplies delivered straight to their door or cold, hard cash to check items off their wish lists. Think flexible seating, STEM materials, books—the good stuff that makes learning actually engaging.
Meet Your 2026 GRANTED Recipients
These 29 educators are walking away with resources that’ll make a real difference:
- Aimee Morgan, Dove Creek Elementary School in Statham
- Amber Conaway, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Macon
- Amber Hightower, Lakeview Primary School in Milledgeville
- Amy Burden, Katherine B. Sutton Elementary School in Forsyth
- Andrea Vincent, Dodge County High School in Eastman
- Aubrey Whittington, Northwest Lauren’s Elementary School in Dublin
- Billie Hix, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology in Conyers
- Brittany Watts, Gray Station Middle School in Gray
- Cassandra McCartney, Southwest High School in Macon
- Courtney Yawn, Dodge County Elementary School in Eastman
- Garrett Martin, Veterans High School in Warner Robins
- Jasheena Vinayak, Salem High School in Conyers
- Jasmine Jones, Ballard Hudson Middle School in Macon
- Jennifer Comstock, Barrow Elementary School in Athens
- Jordan Martin, Byron Middle School in Byron
- Joy Kimble Acosta, Barksdale Elementary School in Conyers
- Katelin Geiger, Hilltop Elementary School in Warner Robins
- Kiara Green, Union Elementary School in Macon
- Kiara Hicks, Oak Hill Middle School in Milledgeville
- Kristi Muenzer, Cedar Shoals High School in Athens
- Latonya Dixon, Northside Middle School in Warner Robins
- Leeanne Schroeder, Central High School in Macon
- Melissa Burke, Putnam County Elementary School in Eatonton
- Morgan Pearson, Midway Hills Academy in Milledgeville
- Shanna Roberson, Dodge County Primary School in Eastman
- Shemeka Parker, Flat Shoals Elementary in Conyers
- Tamera Hill, Putnam County Primary School in Eatonton
- Tara Stuart, Cedar Shoals High School in Athens
- Weston Snell, Swainsboro Middle School in Swainsboro
Real Impact, Real Classrooms
“This grant has made a meaningful impact on both my classroom and me as an educator,” said Shanna Roberson from Dodge County Primary School. “It has given me the opportunity to provide my students with resources and learning experiences that I may not have been able to provide otherwise. Knowing that these materials can be used year after year makes the impact even greater. As a teacher, it is encouraging to know that organizations like Robins Financial Credit Union value education and are willing to invest in our students and their futures.”
And here’s the kicker: since launching GRANTED, Robins Financial has dropped over $213,000 into local classrooms. That’s not chump change—that’s real money creating real change for Georgia students.
“Supporting our educators is an investment in the students and communities we serve,” explained Christina O’Brien, President and CEO of Robins Financial Credit Union. “Through our GRANTED program, Robins Financial is excited to help bring innovative classroom ideas to life and give teachers additional resources to create engaging experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity and a love of learning.”
In a world where teachers often feel undervalued and underfunded, programs like this prove that some organizations actually put their money where their mouth is. Here’s hoping more companies follow suit.